OZtoberFest 2017!

OZTOBERFEST 2017!  “SPECIAL GUEST” PRESENTATION SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7th AND OCTOBER 8th

Saturday Morning and Afternoon:

10:00-10:30 – Red Carpet Event on the Main Stage on Lincoln Street in front of the Columbian Theatre: Emcee John Fricke -- Oz and Judy Garland historian/author and Emmy Award-winning producer -- introduces our special guests for 2017.

10:30-11:00 – Aaron Harburg (The OZ Museum theater): The great-grandson of lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg discusses “the story behind the songs” his relative wrote with composer Harold Arlen for the legendary WIZARD OF OZ movie, including “Over the Rainbow.

11:00-11:30 – Ryan Jay (The OZ Museum theater): The television film critic and nationally syndicated radio movie reporter shares his on-camera interviews with two of the stars of NBC’s controversial 2017 TV series, EMERALD CITY.

11:30-12:00 – John Fricke (The OZ Museum theater): A video trip back to 1939, as some of the secrets behind the special effects in THE WIZARD OF OZ movie are shared and explained.

12:00-12:30 - Paul Miles Schneider (The OZ Museum theater): The author of the acclaimed modern-day Oz novels, SILVER SHOES and THE POWDER OF LIFE, talks about his writing career and Oz fascination.

12:30-1:00 – Main Stage on Lincoln Street in front of the Columbian Theatre: A second opportunity to briefly see our OZtoberFest Special Guests – and to hear about the wonderful Saturday and Sunday afternoon OZ programs they’ll be presenting.

1:45-2:30 – Gabriel Gale (onstage at The Columbian Theatre): The conceptualizer and coauthor of the new “Ages of Oz” (a book trilogy for middle school and older readers) describes his life-long dedication to Oz and volume one of his series, A FIERY FRIENDSHIP. Interviewed by John Fricke.

2:30-3:30 – Shanice Williams (onstage at The Columbian Theatre): The girl whose performing gifts won her the role of Dorothy over hundreds of other contestants shares the joys of starring in NBC-TV’s THE WIZ LIVE!  Interviewed by John Fricke and Ryan Jay.

3:30-4:30 – Hamilton Meserve – Our Keynote Speaker! (onstage at The Columbian Theatre): The son of Margaret Hamilton, the unforgettable Wicked Witch of THE WIZARD OF OZ movie, remembers "OZ, THE WITCH, AND MOM: TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW.” Don’t miss his magical memories of one of the great actresses of entertainment history – and of a remarkable mother, grandmother, and woman.

4:30-5:30 – Q&A Time! (onstage at The Columbian Theatre): All our special guests take the stage together to answer your questions about Oz and their careers. Moderated by John Fricke.

Sunday Afternoon (All Sunday presentations take place in The OZ Museum theater)

12:30-1:30 – Johnpaul Cafiero discusses his family’s lifelong devotion to Oz and Oz collecting – and the resonance of Oz today on so many levels.

1:30-2:30 – Gabriel Gale reprises his Saturday talk about his new “Ages of Oz” book trilogy for middle-school and older readers.

2:30-3:30 – Hamilton Meserve offers another opportunity to hear “OZ, THE WITCH, AND MOM: TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW” – his keynote address for the 2017 OZtoberFest!

3:30-4:30 – John Fricke tells behind-the-scenes stories of the making of THE WIZARD OF OZ movie and shares its special effects secrets.

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Saturday and Sunday Prices:

Admission (wrist bands) to The OZ Museum and activities sponsored by the Museum are: $10 adults, $8 children ($8 military adults, $6 military children) per day. This includes unlimited time and access for the day at the Museum, as well as admittance to all the speaker events at The OZ Museum theater and at The Columbian Theatre. (Prices are subject to change.)

Article by John Fricke